Injection vs Combined pill
Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Injection reviews
261 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Stopped my periods completely which was great, but was depressed the entire time I was on it (and didn't realise why until I came off) also had zero sex drive until I came off it.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd May 24
I was not offered an alternative injection and was adbised against it as i already was dinosed with depression.its been very difficult trying to feel normal and have a great s** life. I am already a mother and would like to wait a while before or IF i do have any more children. This contraception is extemly strong, i noticed many changes to my body. From the frist day i took the injection. It is brilliant at stopping me from getting pregnnt again though.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st May 24
I was placed on the Depo injections back in 2019 and had a total of 5/6 injections. They were stopped because they caused severe anxiety, multiple panic attacks daily and severe depression. The GP deemed it unsafe for me to continue as the mental health side effects were incredibly awful.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Stopped my periods completely which was great, but was depressed the entire time I was on it (and didn't realise why until I came off) also had zero sex drive until I came off it.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd May 24
I was not offered an alternative injection and was adbised against it as i already was dinosed with depression.its been very difficult trying to feel normal and have a great s** life. I am already a mother and would like to wait a while before or IF i do have any more children. This contraception is extemly strong, i noticed many changes to my body. From the frist day i took the injection. It is brilliant at stopping me from getting pregnnt again though.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st May 24
I was placed on the Depo injections back in 2019 and had a total of 5/6 injections. They were stopped because they caused severe anxiety, multiple panic attacks daily and severe depression. The GP deemed it unsafe for me to continue as the mental health side effects were incredibly awful.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2457 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I moved on to this from Cilique due to a shortage. At first I didn't notice any side effects or difference from cilique, but as the months went on (started around 3 months onwards) I noticed that the pill seemed to trigger my cold sores every single month, at least 1 week prior to my period starting. I've never had them triggered by hormones before and this is a big reason for coming off this pill. Looking back I also can see my sex drive dramatically reduced, but this could be also due to the cold sores.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Originally went on the contraceptive pill to control and ease very painful and heavy periods, it helped and made my periods regular and easier to deal with. However, around 12 months in I began having regular migraines with aura which are dangerous when using this pill, it was an amazing pill other than that major side effect I had no emotional affect because of it.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I moved on to this from Cilique due to a shortage. At first I didn't notice any side effects or difference from cilique, but as the months went on (started around 3 months onwards) I noticed that the pill seemed to trigger my cold sores every single month, at least 1 week prior to my period starting. I've never had them triggered by hormones before and this is a big reason for coming off this pill. Looking back I also can see my sex drive dramatically reduced, but this could be also due to the cold sores.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Originally went on the contraceptive pill to control and ease very painful and heavy periods, it helped and made my periods regular and easier to deal with. However, around 12 months in I began having regular migraines with aura which are dangerous when using this pill, it was an amazing pill other than that major side effect I had no emotional affect because of it.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Very few side effects other than a bit of breast tenderness and nausea in the first couple of months. Since then I've had much lighter periods and it helped with breakouts
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I used this pill continuously but my body rejected it. I had 2 breakthrough spotting bleeds every 6 months but after 1 and a ½ years I had a full blown period while on the pill. So I had to come off it. Had no issues on it other than that because I have endometriosis, the pain built up and during self pleasure I'd get debilitating cramps. This stopped after coming off the pill. However no one talks about how hard it is to come off the pill. Your hormones are bring shifted and changed and the emotional toll is so harsh. I've had the worst anxiety and paranoia and it's really hard.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Initially I thought that Yacella was suiting me, I had no noticeable side effects, I was able to take it straight away and not have any nausea etc. It was only after a year I noticed how much thinner my hair had become since taking this pill and also had affected my hair texture (I have naturally curly hair and on this pill it was getting straighter). I decided to come off Yacella and since my hair has started to return to its natural texture and thickness. Ironically I went on Yacella as it’s meant to prevent hair loss, even encourage hair growth!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I was weary to go on Rigevidon after switching from a mini pill which caused non stop bleeding and decreased sex drive however, I was positively surprised. For me I found the side effects minimal if not positive: clearer skin and slightly bigger boobs. I take it without a break which means I only bleed every few months and find it a convenient method of contraception.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Ive been given this pill as a substitute for yasmin from my pharmacy and the last few months ive suffered alot of hormonal issues. I only linked all my issues ater googling why I had spots in each ear that has never happened before. It said its due to hormonal problems and then I realised all my other problems such as mouth ulcers every week, migraine, increased acne on my face and spots in my ear are down to this pill. I never had any problems like this on other contraceptions so I wont be using this again.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Have been using Gedarel for 2 weeks now, the initial side effects in week 1 were strong.I got dizzy, was nauseous and slightly depressed.By week 2 I didn't feel as bad, my boobs started to hurt and I got light cramping, my moods are still up and down but not as severely.Overall ive had mild symptoms.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I was put on Rigevidon to help my pms and OCD symptoms which worsened the week before and during my period. I was on this pill for a month only and had to stop because of the side effects; the first day I took it i vomited in the middle of the night and every time I took this pill i would feel some sort of nausea. It made my mood much worse, I was uncontrollably sobbing almost every day and would frequently get very annoyed and shout at my family. It also worsened my OCD a lot which was triggered by my mood. I felt a lot better coming off of it.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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